Bob, March 2012

Having taken Kenpo and other martial arts before, I wished to further my study in Richmond where I’ve lived for the last 10 years. I have looked for a Kenpo school on and have just recently stumbled upon Kenpo Richmond.

Unlike other systems, Kenpo is very hands on. We partner up after receiving instruction and work techniques on each other till we know the combinations cold. Even more important than mentally knowing the techniques is the muscle memory you achieve from this type of repetition. Kenpo is also not rooted in tradition and spirituality as other martial arts, its more scientific, which is why I love it.

Kenpo has evolved with time to incorporate other proven skill sets like ground fighting. You don’t often see Kenpo in the movies because it’s not as flashy as a Jean-Claude Van Damme spinning back kick. The odds of landing a move like that are pretty small. Kenpo concentrates on economy of motion, which is to say “kick when it makes sense, but make it short and make it quick”. I have found the instruction here to be top notch and the fellow students to be very encouraging and proficient.